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A review by annekawithane
You Started It by Jackie Khalilieh
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Thank you Tundra Books and NetGalley for a digital ARC of this book. All opinions are my own :)
You Started It has fake-dating, TikTok dancing, a “drivers license” sequence, and Toronto sights, but underneath, it’s a beautiful story with Arab/Palestinian rep, anxiety, and the opening up of one’s self to new experiences. 💜
YA romance is not often my genre, simply because I’m older and usually find it cheesy, but Jackie Khalilieh has a way of writing characters that in their core and actions feel realistic and human. Jamie makes mistakes, she fights with her mom, she’s says the occasional rude comment and people call her out on her behavior. She can be very single minded/hyper-fixated, but she’s becomes aware of her weaknesses that she wants to eventually work on. Jamie has anxiety and I found it realistically shown and discussed. One impactful and learning experience moments for me was is the discussion of internalized racism and differences in culture. You see Jamie wanting to embrace her Arab heritage while it conflicts with her mother’s avoidance of her own.
Jamie’s narration style straight forward and to the point that reads like today’s teenager. Jamie bounces between her beliefs as she struggles to understand how she feels. It doesn’t always have the best outcome.
There are more references to today’s current language and pop culture, compared to Something More, so it may become dated. Also, thank you Jackie for making me feel old as a 25-year old when Jamie says Justin Beiber’s “Baby” is old. 😂
I liked Jaime and Axel’s connection and it felt authentic. I think they brought out the best out of each other and really opened Jamie’s heart at her own pace, to new experiences, people, and the world around her. She started to learning to start trust others, and they communicated with each other for the most part.
As a usual disgruntled 3rd act break up hater, I was fine with this one has it happened like two-thirds of the way in, but it didn’t feel as dragged out as as the focus became Jamie exploring her outer boundaries without Axel, and finding support in her own self and family which I appreciated.
You Started It has fake-dating, TikTok dancing, a “drivers license” sequence, and Toronto sights, but underneath, it’s a beautiful story with Arab/Palestinian rep, anxiety, and the opening up of one’s self to new experiences. 💜
YA romance is not often my genre, simply because I’m older and usually find it cheesy, but Jackie Khalilieh has a way of writing characters that in their core and actions feel realistic and human. Jamie makes mistakes, she fights with her mom, she’s says the occasional rude comment and people call her out on her behavior. She can be very single minded/hyper-fixated, but she’s becomes aware of her weaknesses that she wants to eventually work on. Jamie has anxiety and I found it realistically shown and discussed. One impactful and learning experience moments for me was is the discussion of internalized racism and differences in culture. You see Jamie wanting to embrace her Arab heritage while it conflicts with her mother’s avoidance of her own.
Jamie’s narration style straight forward and to the point that reads like today’s teenager. Jamie bounces between her beliefs as she struggles to understand how she feels. It doesn’t always have the best outcome.
There are more references to today’s current language and pop culture, compared to Something More, so it may become dated. Also, thank you Jackie for making me feel old as a 25-year old when Jamie says Justin Beiber’s “Baby” is old. 😂
I liked Jaime and Axel’s connection and it felt authentic. I think they brought out the best out of each other and really opened Jamie’s heart at her own pace, to new experiences, people, and the world around her. She started to learning to start trust others, and they communicated with each other for the most part.
As a usual disgruntled 3rd act break up hater, I was fine with this one has it happened like two-thirds of the way in, but it didn’t feel as dragged out as as the focus became Jamie exploring her outer boundaries without Axel, and finding support in her own self and family which I appreciated.